Recreations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Activities undertaken for enjoyment or relaxation
2. Pursuits that provide amusement, diversion, or leisure
3. Engaging in hobbies or sports for the purpose of fun and relaxation

Etymology: "Recreations" is the plural of "recreation", so it refers to the various activities people pursue for enjoyment or relaxation. The singular noun traces back through Middle English "recreacion" and Middle French "recreacion" to Latin "recreātiō", meaning a restoring or refreshing, from the verb "recreāre" to renew or revive. The Latin root combines "re-", again, with "creāre", to create, so the underlying sense is making something anew. The English word is also built from familiar parts: "re-" added to "creation". That combination made the word's core idea of renewal visible in English, where the meaning of restoring one's strength through rest or play became the dominant one.

Synonyms: leisure, hobbies, pastimes, diversions, entertainments

Antonyms: work, labor, chores, tasks, duty